Apparatus and method for the regulation of operations in treatment of fluid materials



April 21, 1936.- H. s. COE 2,037,761

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE REGULATION OF OPERATIONS IN TREATMENT OF FLUID MATERIALS Filed June 28, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIE' J INVENTOR. 5 Harrison .5. (Toe ATTORNEYS.

April 21, 1936. a o I 2,037,761

. APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE] REGULATION OF OPERATIONS IN TREATMENT OF FLUID MATERIALS Filed June 28, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Herr/son 5. C06

A TTORNEYS.

April 21, 1936. 5. col: 2,037,761

- Pi APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE REGULATION OF OPERATIONS IN TREATMENT OF FLUID MATERIALS Filed June 28, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fla a IN V EN T 0R. Harri: or) 5 C o e A TTORNEYS.

Aprll 21, 1936. s :95 2,037,761

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE REGULATION OF OPERATIONS IN TREATMENT OF FLUID MATERIALS Filed June 28, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. Hoff/son 5. CO8

A TTOR Patented Apr. 21,, 1936 A I UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFlCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE REGU- LATION OF OPERATIONS IN TREATMENT OF FLUID MATERIALS Harrison S. Coe, Palo Alto, Calif. Application June 28, 1932, Serial No. 619,714 6 Claims. (01. 83-9) This invention relates generally to systems tion, partly diagrammatic, illustrating certain and apparatus for the treatment-or handling of features of my invention as applied to a cone fluid material, and to methods utilized in the classifier. same. It has particular application to systems Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the. draw- 5 including a classifier, for the treatment of comings, the apparatus illustrated therein consists of minuted solids together with a liquid component a structure 9 forming infiow and outflow launders, to effect a-size separation, where it is desirable l0 and II. An upright partition l2 serves to split to maintain or establish certain desired conditions the material supplied to the inflow launder l0, so of operation. that a part of this material flows thru the by-pass 10 It is an object of the invention to devise a l3, and another part flows thru certain portions 10 means and method for amplifying slight changes of a specific gravity testing means.

in density of a fluid material, thereby making The part of the fluid material which does not available ample power for operating various pass thru bypass i3, is caused to flow downwardmechanisms. 1y thru a conduit M, the upper end of which com- It is a further object of the invention to promunicates thru the bottom wall of structure 9..l5 vide an improved system and method, character- A lateral conduit I6, connects the lower end of ized by the use of a classifier and ball mill in closed conduit l4, with the lower end of another upright circuit relationship, which will facilitate the conduit H. The upperv end of .conduit 'I'I commaintenance of a proper operation of the classimunicates thru the bottom wall of the outflow fier; launder H. Material discharged from conduit I1 20 A further object is to provide an improved sysis caused to flow over a wier l8, to maintain the tem and method, characterized by the use of a height of material within conduit l1 substanclassifier and ball mill in close circuit relationtially constant. ship, which will facilitate proper feed of fresh In conjunction with the parts described above, as material to the ball mill.- there is a structure designated generally at I9,

A. further object of the invention is to provide which is formed to afford a liquid receptacle 2i. an improved means and method which will indl- A horizontal partition 22, serves to define a liqcate the character of the load upon a classifier. I uid receiver 23 above the reservoir 2!. Struc- Further objects of the invention will appear ture I9 is likewise formed to provide an auxiliary from the following description, in which the preliquid receptacle 24, the lower portion of which is 30 ferred embodiments of my invention have been in communication with receptacle 2| thru an set forth in detail in conjunction with the accomorifice 26. To enable a fiow of liquid into auxpanying drawings. iliary receptacle 24, from a source under substan- Referring to the drawings: Y tially constant head, receiver 23 is shown pro- Figure 1 is a plan view, illustrating apparatus vided with a compartment 2T,'the lower portion 35 incorporating the present invention. of which is in communication with a pipe 28 lead- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view in cross secing to the auxiliary receptacle 24. An overflow tion, illustrating the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. pipe 29, leading from compartment 21, is adapted Fig. 3 is a side elevational view in cross secto discharge into the outflow launder ll. tion, partly diagrammatic, illustrating a further Extending downwardly within the conduit I1, 40 apparatus incorporating the present invention. there is a conduit or pipe 30, having a lower Fig. 4 is a cross sectional detail taken along open end, and having its upper end communicatthe line 4--4 of Fig. 3. ing with the lower portion of the, auxiliary re- Fig. 5 is a side elevational view in cross section, ceptacle 24. As will be presently explained, liquid partly diagrammatic, illustrating certain features continuously introduced into the auxiliary re- 5 of the invention applied to the automatic control ceptacle 24, flows downwardly thru pipe 30, to

i of aball mill feeder. establish a hydrostatic balance with the mate- Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a rial in conduit 11, at a'point located at the lower complete system incorporating the apparatus of open end of pipe 30. Assuming that a continual Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. 1

' Fig. 7 is a side elevational view in cross section, 28, the level of liquid within this receptacle, and partly diagrammatic, illustrating the specific within the receptacle 2|, will vary in accordance gravity and amplifying means of Figs. 1 and 2 apwith variations in the gravity of material in conplied directly to the material within a classifier; duit H. To translate such variations into me- 8 is .a side elevational view in cross secchanical movement, I provide afloat 3| within flow of liquid occurs into receptacle 24 frompipe 50 i receptacle 2|. Float 3| is operably connected to one end of a counterbalanced lever 32, this lever having a fixed fulcrum 33. In order to amplify movements of lever 32, thus affording considerable power for purposes to be presently explained, I provide means including a liquid chamber 34, which can be likewise formed as a part of structure I9. Chamber 34 is provided with a lower fixed discharge orifice 36. For introducing various quantities of liquid into chamber 34 from receiver 23, I provide a. pipe 3'! which is controlled by a movable valve member 38. This valve member is connected to the counterbalance lever 32 so as to be opened and closed by movements of the same. receive flow of liquid at a constant rate from a suitable source, such as is represented by the water pipe 33. Positioned within container 34, there is another float 4|, which can be connected to the member or mechanical contrivance to be operated in accordance with changes of the gravity of material in conduit H. In this particular instance float 4| is shown connected to one end of a counterbalancing lever 42, which in turn is operably connected to a valve 43 in a water flow pipe 44.

Operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is as follows:--Assuming that the fluid material supplied to the inflow launder I 0 consists of solid particles together with one or more liquid components, a part of this material will flow directly to the outflow launder thru bypass I3, and another part will flow downwardly thru conduit l4, thru conduit l6, and upwardly thru conduit I! to the outflow launder. stantially constant height will be maintained between the lower end of pipe 30, and the upper surface of material in conduit assuming that a constant stream of water is being introduced into receiver 23, from pipe 39. Liquid within receiver 23 will overflow into compartment 21,

and from this compartment, flow will occur thru overflow pipe 29, and thru pipe 28 at a constant rate to the auxiliary receptacle 24. The liquid within receptacle 24 will seek such a level that the column, as measured from the surface of liquid in receptacle 24 to the lower open end of pipe 30, will exactly balance the hydrostatic pressure of the material within the conduit I! at that point. Because of the communication of receptacles 2| and 24, thru orifice 26, liquid in receptacle 2| will tend to seek the same level as the liquid in receptacle 24. Assuming now that the gravity of fluid material flowing thru the apparatus increases, a greater head of water within pipe 30 and receiver 24, will be required to maintain a hydrostatic balance at the lower' end of pipe 30. Therefore for a time continual downflow of .water thru pipe 30 will cease, until the level of liquid within receptacle 24 has raised to a height suflicient to reestablish the hydrostatic balance. Conversely if the gravity of fluid material decreases below a given value, the downward flow of water thru pipe 30 will be momentarily accelerated, until a hydrostatic balance at the lower end of pipe 38, is again established. This will result in a lowering ofthe level of liquid in receiver 24.

The level of liquid within receiver 24 will tend to fluctuate rapidly, particularly when the flow of material thru. conduit I1 is not uniform. However the level of liquid within reservoir 2| will not fuctuate rapidly, but will vary gradually so as to in efiect represent a mean level for the rapid varying levels within receiver 24.

Chamber 23 is adapted to' A sub-' mum value.

Assuming now that the density of the fluid material increases above agiven value, so as to raise the level of liquid in receptacle 2|, float 3| is raised, thus causing movement of valve member 38 toward open position. An increased flow of water therefore occurs from receiver 23, to the chamber 34, which results in a substantial increase in the head of liquid maintained above orifice 36, thus causing float 4| to raise to operate lever 42 and valve 43. Conversely if the gravity of fluid material decreases, to cause a fall in the level of liquid in reservoir 2|, float 3| causes valve member 38 to move toward closed position, thus decreasing the rate of flow of water into reservoir 34. Such a decreased flow is accompanied by' a lowering of the level of liquid 4| will move thru a relatively wide range, for

variations inthe rate of flo'w of water into container 34. Likewise it is also apparent that float 4| can be caused to move thru a relatively wide amplitude compared to float 3|, and forces of high magnitude can be exerted by this float dependent upon its size.

The apparatus described above, and the method utilized in the same, can be applied to the control and regulation of various other equipment. One specific application of great value, is in conjunction with a classifier of the drag type. In such an application the overflow from the drag type classifier is delivered to the launder l0 while the discharge of water from pipe 44, controlled by valve 43, is introduced into the classifier together with the feed of fluid material thereto. Assuming now that the gravity of the overflow from the drag type classifier tends to increase above an optimum desired value, valve 43 is automatically adjusted to permit a greater quantity of water or other diluting liquid to be discharged into the classifier together with the fluid feed. Such an increased flow of water into the classifier tends to effect a compensating control to reduce the gravity of the overflow to the desired opti- Correspondingly a decrease in the gravity of the overflow below the optimum desired value, causes an automatic adjustment of valve 43, to decrease the rate of flow of water to the classifier together with the fluid feed thereto. The net result, in such a system, is to maintain the gravity of the overflow substantially constant between predetermined limits.

Figs. 3 and 4 indicate an apparatus incorporating certain novel features of my invention, as applied directly to a drag type classifier. In this case I have shown a liquid receptacle 5|, having its lower portion in communication with another liquid receptacle 52, thru the orifice 53 (Fig. 4). A pipe 54 is connected to receptacle 5|, and has its lower open end terminating within the classifier 56'. Classifier 56 is of the drag type, being provided with an oscillating rake 51, and an overflow launder 58. The lower end of pipe 54 tenninates at an intermediate point substantially below the wier 59, over which the overflow discharges into launder 58. Arranged within recep- 5|, is adapted to receive water or other suitable liquid at a constant rate from a suitable source, as for 'example a water pipe 68.

In'operating the apparatus described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the water column in pipe 54, will establish a hydrostatic balance at the point 69, at the lower open end of this pipe. The hydrostatic pressure at point 69 will of course depend upon the average density of the zone of material within the classifier, above point 69. Any variation of density will of course result in a re-establishment of the hydrostatic balance at point 69, by'variation of the level of water within reservoir 5| I have discovered that with the lower end of pipe 54 properly positioned within the classifier,

. and with the classifier operating at optimum the overflow, rises above the level end of pipe 54, thus causing the level of water in capacity, the water in reservoir 5| will seek a corresponding level, which will be indicated by pointer 56.. In the event the classifier is overloaded, a zone of material in the classifier of considerably greater density, than thedensity of of the lower reservoir 5| to rise accordingly to re-establish a hydrostatic balance at point 69. By noting this condition, as indicatedby pointer 66, or as indicated by the-position of float 5! or the level of liquid in reservoir 5!, the operator can immediately take steps to reduce the feed to the classifier, to re-establish proper operating conditions.

If desired the response secured by the apparatus of Figs. 3 and 4, can be employed to automatically regulate the load to the classifier. In this event the stream of water automatically controlled by valve 63, is utilized to operate amplifying means, which in turning directly regulates the feed to the classifier. An arrangement of this character is illustrated in Fig. 5, where the amplifying means regulates the feed of matetainer receives the stream of water from pipe 64 with respect to an arm the rate of water fiow to-container 14-, responeffective gravity to which which is controlled by valve 63 (Fig. 3) In order to move gate 10 in accordance with the positioning of receptacle 14, this gate is shown carried by a pair of pivoted arms 11 and 18. Arm 11 is fixed 19, upon which receptacle 14 is suspended. The gate .10 can be of sufficient weight to normally urge it towards closed pos'ition when there is no water in container 14.

It is evident that with the arrangement described above with reference to Fig. 5, variations in the rate of flow thru pipe 64 to container 14, by virtue of automatic regulation 01" valve 63 (Fig. 3) makes-available amplepower for automatically adjusting gate 18. Thus a decrease in sive to an increase in the'apparatus of Fig. 3 is responsive, serves to close gate 10 and'reduce the supply of material.

charge conduit 81,

In Fig. 6 I have shown a complete system which includes both means for automatically controlling introduction of water into the classifier together with the feed, in response to changes in the gravity of the overflow, and which also incorporates means for automatically adjusting the feed to the classifier, to prevent overloading of the same. The classifier in this case is indicated generally at A, the ap aratus of Figs. 1 and.2 is indicated at B, the apparatus of Figs. 3 and 4 at C, and the amplifying means incorporated in Fig. 5 at D. E represents feed means to the ball mill F and is represented as'being automatically controlled by the amplifying means D. Ball mill F is shown in closed circuit relationship with the classifier A, that is the heavier coarse material removed from the classifier is returned to the ball mill F thru line I, and after being retreated in the ball mill, is returned in part to the classifier as by line Z. Water pipe 44 is controlled by a valve 43 and is shown connected with the feed line 2 from the ball mill. Water pipe line 64, controlled by valve 63, leads to the amplifying means D, and serves to automatically regulate the feed to the ball mill F.

With the system described above 'with reference to Fig. 6, the apparatus C, by auto-matically regulating valve 63, serves thru the instrumentality of amplifying means D, to automatically regulate thefeed to the ball mill F, and thus to automatically regulate the feed to the classifier A. In other words if the load upon the classifier increases above an optimum desired value, the feed of fresh material to the ball mill is automatically decreased to gradually reduce the load, and thus return the classifier to optimum operating conditions. Likewise the apparatus B, by automatically regulating valve 43, serves to maintain density of the overflow substantially constant, and makes possible optimum setting conditions within the classifier under proper conditions of load.

As shown in Fig. '7, it is possible to utilize the specific gravity testing means and amplifying means of Figs. 1 and 2, to act directly upon the material within a drag type classifier. Thus in this case pipe 30 extends directly into the classifier, and water pipe 44 is connected to the classifier feed pipe 2. .With such an arrangement the dilution of the feed'is automatically controlled in accordance with the average density of the zone of material above the lower end of pipe 38.

As shown in Fig, 8, certain features of the invention can also be applied to the control of a cone type classifier. In this case the cone classifier 86, is provided with a flexible underflow dis. such as a rubber hose. Adjacent the lower endof the cone, there is an auxiliary discharge conduit 88 leading to the upright conduit l4 of specific gravity testing means.

This testing means is similar to that incorporated in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the auxiliary receptacle 24 is omitted, and pipe 30 connects directly with receptacle 2|. The amplifying means in this case serves to automatically regulate the main discharge thru conduit 81. Thus conduit 81 is adapted to be pinched between .a fixed abutment 89 and a roller 91.. Roller 9| is carried by one end of a lever 92, biased byweight 93 in a direction to close conduit 81. Suspended by lever 92, there is a receptacle 94 having a lower fixed orifice 96. Pipe 91, leading from pipe 31 of the specific gravity into receptacle 94.

With the apparatus of Fig. 8, a portion of the testing means, discharges underflow from the cone classifier is continually tested, and the density indication secured is amplified to automatically control the rate of discharge, thus tending to maintain the density of the discharge substantially constant. In the event the gravity tends to increase, the quantity of water in receptacle 94.increases to permit a greater rate of discharge thru conduit 81. Conversely if the density decreases below a desired value the quantity of water in receptacle 94 decreases, thus causing hose 8? to be collapsed a greater amount between abutment 89 and roller 9|.

I claim:

1. In a method of the class described characterized by the use of a material classifier together with a ball mill in closed circuit relationship, securing an indication of the load upon the classifier by determining the effective fluid head required, at a fixed point within the mass of material in the classifier, to effect a hydrostatic balance with respect to said material, simultaneously continually testing the specific gravity of the overflow discharged from the classifier, adjusting the feed to the ball mill in accordance with said indication, introducing a stream of diluting liquor into the classifier together with the feed from the ball mill, and varying the flow of said diluting liquor in accordance with variations in the gravity of the overflow from the classifier.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a classifier, a ball mill arranged in closed circuit relationship with the classifier, whereby the ball mill delivers liquid feed to the classifier and the classifier is arranged to deliver coarse material therefrom back to the ball mill, means for introducing diluting liquid into the classifier together with the feed from the ball mill, means operating responsive to changes in the gravity of the overflow from the classifier for automatically regulating said introduction of diluting liquid, means for regulating the feed of fresh material to the ball mill, andmeans responsive to variations of the average density within an upper zone of predetermined depth within the classifier for automatically adjusting said feed means.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a container having a lower discharge orifice, means independent of said orifice for introducing a stream of liquid into said container whereby liquid being introduced into the container may simultaneously flow out of the container through said orifice under the gravity head thereby established within the container, a classifying apparatus, means actuated by variations in the quantity of liquid within said container for modifying operation of said classifying apparatus, and specific gravity testing apparatus, associated with said classifying apparatus and serving to control the rate of flow of liquid into said container.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a receptacle adapted to receive a stream of liquid, a pipe communicating with said receptacle and 'adapted to extend downwardly into a mass of fluid material of varying gravity, the lower end of said pipe being open, valve means adapted to be controlled by the level of liquid within said receptacle, a container provided with a lower orifice for gravity flow of liquid from the container, means independent of said orifice and controlled by said valve means for introducing a varying stream 'of liquid into said container whereby liquid being introduced into' the container may simultaneously flow out of the container through said orifice under the gravity head of said liquid thereby established within the container, and actuating means actuated in accordance with variations in the quantity of liquid within said container for modifying the gravity of said mass of fluid material.--

5. In apparatus of the class described for handling material consisting of a liquid component together with solids, a cone type classifier adapted to receive said material, continuously operating specific gravity testing meansoperating upon the underflow discharge from said cone, and means responsive to said specific gravity testing means for increasing the rate of discharge of underflow from said cone when the specific gravity of the underflow increases, and for decreasing the rate of discharge of underflow from said cone when the specific gravity of said unde'rflow de-- creases.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a container having a fixed lower discharge orifice, means independent of said orifice for introducing a stream of liquid into said container whereby an outflow of said liquid is maintained by gravity flow through said orifice simultaneously with introduction of said liquid into the container, continuously operating specific gravity testing means adapted to act upon a body of fluid material of varying gravity and serving to regulate the rate of flow of said stream, and means actuated in response to variations in the quantity of liquid within the container for modifying the gravity of the fluid material acted upon by said testing means.

HARRISON S. COE. 

